Episode 104: Defense Counselor
“Ah, finally some time to relax. Mamezou, did you miss me while I was gone?”
“Woof!”
The day after returning home, Yuma was in the backyard, petting Mamezou’s head.
It was a rare moment of peace after working non-stop.
“Seriously, I didn’t have a single day off for thirty days. Come to think of it, when I wasn’t working, I was either doing strength training or martial arts practice. It was rough…”
“Whine…”
“Oh, Mamezou, are you comforting me? You’re so kind.”
Yuma attached a leash to Mamezou’s collar, and when Yuma said, “Let’s go for a walk!” Mamezou happily barked and frolicked, “Woof, woof!”
◇◇◇
Ministry of Defense Building A, located in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
In the conference room on the twelfth floor, officials from various ministries in charge of national crisis management, as well as experts on Dungeons, were gathered.
Long tables were arranged in a U-shape. Seated at the head of the table, farthest from the entrance, was Defense Counselor Serizawa.
“Let’s begin.”
The meeting began with Serizawa’s solemn words.
The first to read the report was Lieutenant General Kakitani of the Ground Self-Defense Force.
“I am Kakitani from the Kasumigaura Garrison, in charge of managing and operating the Red Dungeon. Currently, the Mana outflow from the Red Dungeon has stabilized at a constant level. It could be said that it’s plateauing, but so far, no problems have occurred.”
Kakitani, looking nervous, glanced at Serizawa. Serizawa stared at Kakitani without relaxing his stern expression.
“No problems? Even though Monsters have emerged on the surface?”
“W-well, that is…”
Sweat beaded on Kakitani’s forehead. Serizawa changed the subject, asking someone else about the escaped Monsters, so Kakitani sat down in silence.
Next to stand was Sasaoka, the Director-General of the National Police Agency’s Security Bureau.
“The Monster that emerged from the Ibaraki Dungeon, referred to as ‘Hell Garm,’ has been tracked through Tochigi and Saitama, eventually moving to Akiruno City in Tokyo, according to surveillance camera footage and eyewitness accounts.”
“But it’s been reported as dead, correct?”
“Yes, there have been no further sightings since then. There are signs of the Monster rampaging in a parking lot in Akiruno City, so we believe it exhausted itself there…”
“Are you certain of that?”
Sasaoka, pressed hard by Serizawa, swallowed hard before answering.
“W-well, for more details, we have Elceed Corporation’s Seeker here. I’d like to ask them to report.”
With that, Sasaoka quickly sat down. Serizawa turned his gaze to a man sitting at the far left of the table, who stood up.
He was wearing a suit and tie, but his physique was not that of a typical government official.
“I am Tennoji from Elceed Corporation. This morning, I went directly to the site to assess the situation.”
Serizawa frowned, realizing this man was Tennoji. Serizawa naturally knew the name of the Seeker said to be the strongest in the country.
Serizawa, facing Tennoji who was looking straight at him, prompted him to speak, “And?”
“I believe it is certain that Hell Garm died at that location. However, I have doubts about the conclusion in the report that it self-destructed due to running out of Mana.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“There were clear signs of a struggle at the scene. We should consider that Hell Garm was killed by someone.”
The conference room buzzed with murmurs. Even coming from Tennoji, it was hard to believe.
“Tennoji-kun, the report states that it is difficult to defeat Hell Garm once it emerges on the surface, and that we can only wait for its Mana to run out. This is contrary to your opinion, so what is the basis for your belief?”
Serizawa quietly glared at Tennoji, but Tennoji continued without concern.
“Initially, we believed that Monsters that emerged outside the Dungeon would simply die after a certain amount of time. There have been such cases overseas.”
Serizawa listened in silence, without interrupting.
“However, when the police forensics team examined the site, they found that the concrete had melted over a wide area due to flames. It seems that such a state could not be achieved without spewing a large amount of extremely high-temperature flames. Even though time has passed, the fact that it could use that much Magical Power was unexpected for us.”
“Is that all?”
“No, I can sense the Residual Mana remaining at the scene. I believe that there was likely someone else there besides Hell Garm.”
“Is that your ability as a Seeker?”
“Yes.”
Serizawa said, “Hmm,” and pondered. Government officials did not understand the Dungeon.
The opinions of Seekers, who were experts, could not be ignored, but—
“So, you’re saying that person defeated the Monster?”
“Yes, there was evidence of a different, powerful Magical Power at that location, not Hell Garm’s Fire Magical Power. Without a doubt, someone defeated Hell Garm.”
“But who could it be? I’ve heard that Monster was a considerably strong Abyssal Monster. Are there any Seekers on the surface who could defeat such a Monster?”
“No… as far as I know, there aren’t.”
“Then, how could they defeat the Monster? Ordinary firearms are ineffective against Abyssal Monsters. You know that, don’t you?”
“Yes, of course, I know. However, looking at the destroyed utility poles and concrete, there’s no doubt that there was a battle there. I myself was perplexed as to what happened, but if there’s one possibility—”
“What is it?”
Serizawa looked dubious.
“Could it be that it wasn’t a person, but a Monster?”
The conference attendees were stunned by the outrageous statement. Laughter leaked out from various places.
“Do you understand what you’re saying? There have been no reports of Monsters escaping from other Dungeons!”
When Serizawa asked in displeasure, Tennoji calmly replied, “Of course, I understand.”
“However, just as Monsters have escaped from the Red Dungeon, it wouldn’t be surprising if Monsters emerged from other Dungeons. In the first place, it’s unnatural for Hell Garm to come all the way here, and it must have had some kind of purpose… or perhaps a target?”
Hearing this, Serizawa pressed his fingers to his temples. It was only speculation, so he could dismiss it with a laugh, but he couldn’t disregard the opinion of an internationally renowned Seeker.
Serizawa shook his head slightly and looked at Tennoji.
“There’s no way to confirm that. Let’s put it on hold for now. Now, could you give us Elceed Corporation’s view on the Mana outflow from the Red Dungeon?”
The Dungeon was managed by the government, but only Seekers from Dungeon-related companies and some Self-Defense Forces personnel could defeat Monsters.
Therefore, Elceed Corporation’s role was significant in this emergency situation.
“The Dungeon is currently off-limits, and dozens of Seekers are guarding the entrances. We plan to summon top-ranked Seekers from across the country to deal with the situation, but if more Monsters continue to flow out, we plan to consider a lockdown, among other measures. We are discussing the specifics with the Ministry of Defense.”
“I see… I understand.”
There were many issues to be resolved, but the various problems were carried over to the next meeting. Serizawa stood up and saw off Tennoji as he left the room.
—It wasn’t a person, but a Monster.
Tennoji’s words echoed in his head. Serizawa shook his head and picked up the documents on the desk.
If that were true…
Feeling a sense of unease, Serizawa also left the conference room.